Airports in Atlanta: How Many There Are and Which One You Actually Need

If you’re trying to figure out how many airports are in Atlanta, the answer depends on what you mean by “Atlanta” and what kind of flying you’re doing.

In and around the city, there are:

• 1 major commercial passenger airport
• Several general aviation (private and business) airports
• A few specialized or nearby regional airports that Atlanta residents often use

Below is a breakdown so you know which Atlanta airport fits your trip—whether you’re catching a commercial flight, flying private, learning to fly, or just curious how air travel works around the city.

The Main Airport in Atlanta

Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)

When most people say “the Atlanta airport,” they mean Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL).

• Type: Major commercial airport (also serves cargo and some general aviation)
• Location: Just south of downtown Atlanta, in unincorporated Clayton County
• Address: 6000 N Terminal Pkwy, Atlanta, GA 30320
• Primary use: Almost all scheduled passenger airline flights into and out of Atlanta

ATL is one of the busiest airports in the world by passenger volume, and it’s the main hub many airlines use to connect flights across the U.S. and internationally.
If you’re flying on a commercial airline—Delta, Southwest, Spirit, United, American, international carriers, and more—you’ll almost certainly be using ATL.

When you’ll use ATL

You’ll use Hartsfield–Jackson if:

• You’re flying domestically or internationally on a commercial airline
• You’re connecting flights through Atlanta
• You’re an Atlanta resident flying for business or vacation on an airline
• You’re arriving in Atlanta for a visit, convention, game, or event

For most travelers, ATL is the only airport you’ll interact with directly.

How Many Airports Are in Atlanta? A Practical Count

If you’re thinking strictly about commercial airline service, Atlanta effectively has:

• 1 primary airport for airline passengers: Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)

If you include general aviation and nearby airports commonly used by Atlantans, there are several more. These airports mainly handle:

• Private planes
• Business jets
• Flight training
• Limited charter or cargo operations

Here’s a simplified way to think about it:

So, if your question is:

• “How many airports serve airline passengers in Atlanta?”
  → One main airport: ATL

• “How many airports handle aviation activity in and around Atlanta?”
  → Several, mainly general aviation airports in the metro area.

Key General Aviation Airports Around Atlanta

If you live in metro Atlanta or do business here, you may hear about other airports often used for private flights, corporate jets, and flight training. These aren’t commercial airline hubs, but they are important parts of the city’s aviation network.

DeKalb–Peachtree Airport (PDK)

• Type: General aviation (no major commercial airlines)
• Location: Chamblee, just northeast of Atlanta
• Address: 2000 Airport Rd, Atlanta, GA 30341

PDK is one of the busiest general aviation airports in Georgia. It’s commonly used for:

• Business jets and corporate flights
• Private aircraft
• Charter services
• Flight schools and training

If you live in Brookhaven, Chamblee, Dunwoody, or north metro areas, PDK may be the closest field for private flying or aviation lessons.

Fulton County Airport – Brown Field (FTY)

• Type: General aviation
• Location: West Atlanta, near I-20 and I-285
• Address: 3952 Aviation Cir NW, Atlanta, GA 30336

Fulton County Airport (often called Brown Field or simply FTY) serves:

• Corporate and business jets, especially for companies on the west side of the city
• Charter flights
• General aviation pilots

People heading to West Midtown, Downtown, the Westside, or Cobb County sometimes use FTY for non-airline travel.

Other Nearby Airports Metro Atlantans May Use

There are additional airports in the greater Atlanta region that locals might use, particularly for private flying, training, or regional travel. A few commonly referenced ones include:

• Cobb County International Airport – McCollum Field (RYY)

  • Location: Kennesaw, northwest of Atlanta
  • Use: General aviation, corporate jets, flight schools

• Gwinnett County Airport – Briscoe Field (LZU)

  • Location: Lawrenceville, northeast metro
  • Use: General aviation, training, charter

• Henry County Airport (HMP) and other smaller fields in the broader region

  • Mainly for local general aviation and occasional business use

These airports are not where you’d go for a standard airline ticket, but they’re very relevant if you’re:

• Learning to fly
• Chartering a private aircraft
• Flying in and out for corporate or specialized operations

Choosing the Right Atlanta Airport for Your Situation

1. Regular commercial passenger flights

If you’re:

• Flying on a major U.S. or international airline
• Using a travel booking site
• Coming for a convention, sports event, college visit, or vacation

You’ll use:

• Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
  Airport code: ATL

👉 For almost every airline ticket to or from Atlanta, ATL is the only airport you need to consider.

2. Private, business, or charter flights

If you’re arranging private air travel, your options typically include:

• DeKalb–Peachtree Airport (PDK) – popular for business and charter on the north/northeast side
• Fulton County Airport – Brown Field (FTY) – convenient to downtown and the west side
• Cobb County – McCollum Field (RYY) – northwest suburban access
• Gwinnett County – Briscoe Field (LZU) – northeastern suburbs

In many cases, a charter company or flight department will recommend the most convenient field based on where you’re staying or working in Atlanta.

3. Flight training and recreational flying

If you’re in Atlanta and want to:

• Take flying lessons
• Join a flight school
• Rent small planes for recreational flying

You’ll typically look at:

• PDK, FTY, RYY, LZU, and other general aviation airports in the metro area

These fields often have:

• Flight schools
• Maintenance shops
• Aircraft rental and hangars

Frequently Asked Local Questions About Atlanta Airports

Are there any other commercial passenger airports in Atlanta besides ATL?

For scheduled airline service, Hartsfield–Jackson (ATL) is the only major commercial airport serving Atlanta.

Some smaller airports in the region may see occasional charter operators or limited public flights, but they don’t function as full-service commercial airline hubs the way ATL does.

Why does Atlanta only have one main airline airport?

Several factors contribute:

• Central location: ATL sits in a position that makes it efficient as a hub for domestic and international routes.
• Existing infrastructure: The airport already has multiple runways, large terminals, and extensive ground connections, which are continually expanded and upgraded.
• Hub structure: Many airlines, especially Delta Air Lines, rely on ATL as a central connecting point rather than splitting traffic across multiple commercial airports.

For consumers, this means:

• Almost all major commercial flights are concentrated in one place, which can make connections and planning more straightforward, even if the airport feels busy.

Is Hartsfield–Jackson actually in the city of Atlanta?

Parts of the airport use “Atlanta” in the address, and it’s known worldwide as “Atlanta’s airport,” but the property extends across jurisdictions, mainly in Clayton County just south of the actual city limits.

From a traveler’s perspective, it functions as Atlanta’s main airport, and it’s directly connected to the city via:

• MARTA rail and bus
• Major interstates like I-75, I-85, and I-285
• Taxis, rideshare, and shuttles into Atlanta neighborhoods and suburbs

How far is ATL from downtown Atlanta?

Travel time varies with traffic, but generally:

• By car or rideshare: Around 15–25 minutes from Downtown Atlanta in normal traffic
• By MARTA train: Often 25–30 minutes from Five Points and central downtown stations

This proximity is part of why ATL is so dominant as Atlanta’s main airport.

Quick Reference: Airports Atlanta Residents and Visitors Should Know

If you just want a simple list, here are the main airports you’ll hear about in the Atlanta area:

• Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) –
  Main commercial passenger airport; hub for most airline travel

• DeKalb–Peachtree Airport (PDK) –
  Major general aviation airport northeast of the city

• Fulton County Airport – Brown Field (FTY) –
  General aviation on the west side, near central Atlanta

• Cobb County International Airport – McCollum Field (RYY) –
  General aviation northwest of Atlanta

• Gwinnett County Airport – Briscoe Field (LZU) –
  General aviation northeast in Lawrenceville

For most travelers, the airport you’ll actually use is Hartsfield–Jackson (ATL).
The rest matter mainly for private flying, business aviation, flight training, and local aviation activity.

So, how many airports are in Atlanta?
For airline passengers, effectively one main airport—ATL.
In the broader metro area, there are several additional airports that support general aviation and help keep Atlanta connected by air in many different ways.